With the February 19th deadline fast approaching for updating children's vaccinations, the Oregon Immunization Program at the Oregon Health Authority reminds parents and caregivers that their children may miss out on school or child care if their records on file show missing immunizations.
Under state law, by the third Wednesday in February all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities must submit documentation showing they are up-to-date on required immunizations or have an exemption.
This year, if a child's vaccination records do not show up-to-date immunizations by next Wednesday, the child's school or certified care center will send them home.
Stacy Matthews, school law coordinator in OHA's Public Health Division, said vaccine-preventable diseases can be highly contagious, with 1,246 cases of pertussis or "whooping cough" in Oregon last year -- the highest number of cases since 1950. She said immunizations remain our best defense against these diseases, keeping kids and school communities healthy and safe.
Leading up to the school immunization deadline last year, local health departments in Oregon sent 24,306 letters to parents and caregivers informing them that they needed to submit records showing up-to-date immunizations for their children. This year, public health authorities mailed letters to families on or before February 5th.
Parents and caregivers seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or local health department. No one can be turned away from a local health department because of their inability to pay for required vaccines. Many pharmacists also immunize children ages 7 and older.
